The Fountain is an odyssey about one man’s
thousand-year struggle to save the woman he loves. His epic
journey begins in 16th century Spain, where conquistador Tomas
Creo commences his search for the Tree of Life, the legendary
entity believed to grant eternal life to those who drink of
its sap. As modern-day scientist Tommy Creo, he desperately
struggles to find a cure for the cancer that is killing his
beloved wife Isabel. Traveling through deep space as a 26th
century astronaut, Tom begins to grasp the mysteries of life
that have consumed him for more than a century.

Movie Review:

Other than my unfortunate webmaster who has to upload
this article, I do not think this review will be accessed
by many readers. This is probably due to the fact that this
latest film by Darren Aronofsky has not gotten much publicity
or rave comments by film fans for that matter.

To
set the context, this reviewer is a fan of Aronofsky’s
last movie Requiem For A Dream (2000). Hence, there may be
certain parts of this review that may sound subjective.

But
as Aronofsky would probably tell you, his works were never
meant to be objective. Like whether you agree with this reviewer
or not, Aronofsky wouldn’t really care whether you buy
the message behind this third feature film written and directed
by the young filmmaker.

The
out-of-this-world story spans over three different eras, telling
three different sets of love stories connected in some zen
way that not everyone will be able to subscribe to.

Although
this is a love story, you will definitely not be bringing
home much lovey-dovey feelings after stepping out of the theatre.
Instead, the devastatingly beautiful images will be haunting
your mind while you ponder about the fragility of human existence
in this universe.

That
is one intellectually deep theme to explore in a movie, if
you ask me.

I
take my hats off to Aronofsky, who has the audacity to explore
these potentially pompous messages with his commercially-packaged
“sci-fi romance”. Putting a finger to this film’s
genre is almost impossible because of how the story is told.
The unique method of putting the three segments together requires
a genius’ mind, and Aronofsky has actually pulled it
off quite well, in my opinion at least.

Thanks
to Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, the two protagonists have
engaged feelings of desperation and loss in me. Their vulnerably
emotional performance has successfully made me awe-struck
by the end of the movie’s 97 minutes.

Thanks
to the intensely stunning cinematography by Matthew Libatique
(Everything is Illuminated, Inside Man) and a strongly impacted
soundtrack score by Clint Mansell (Requiem For A Dream, Sahara)
and Scottish rock band Mogwai, my viewing experience was greatly
enhanced by the involvement of the high production values.

There
are so many things to look out for in this film, from love
and life to religion and philosophy - one viewing is definitely
not enough. That is, if you haven’t been turned off
by its impudent approach of telling a story. For a movie this
bold and visually daring, it definitely deserves to be recommended.

If
there is any rationality left in this reviewer, it has prevented
him to give a near-perfect rating for this movie. Now, that
is kind of tragic in this safe world we choose to live in.

Movie
Rating:

(Watch
this movie at your own risk. And with an open mind, it’d
be an experience worth your time)